iPad UK launch delay fears as "Demand continues to exceed supply"

Could the UK launch of the Apple iPad be delayed even further? That will be the worry for many Brits eager to get their hands on the new internet tablet who don't want the hassle of importing it from the US after hearing Steve Jobs, the company's CEO, warning that demand is still exceeding supply:

“Demand continues to exceed supply and we’re working hard to get this magical product into the hands of even more customers", said Jobs on the news that the company has just sold the one millionth iPad in the US.

The UK release has already been pushed back once by a lack of stock with Apple choosing to service American orders before shipping it globally.

"One million iPads in 28 days - that’s less than half of the 74 days it took to achieve this milestone with iPhone”, said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, clearly pleased with the popularity of the new device.

Originally destined to be launched at the end of April in the UK, Apple was forced to delay the launch until the end of May with pre-order details and a prices expected to be announced on 10 May.

Apple confirmed the numbers on Monday with analysts predicting around 300,000 3G iPads being sold over its first weekend. Apple says that so far it has sold over 12 million apps and around 1.5 million books.

Stuart has been a tech journalist since 1998 and written for a number of publications around the world. Regularly turning up on television, radio and in newspapers, Stuart has played with virtually every gadget available.